The Story
Jan Brett tells the story of Berlioz the Bear in the classic folk tale format of a cumulative story. A cumulative story has little plot. The conflict comes early and the solution is played out as a series of variations on a theme. The fast pace, the rhythm of repetition, and the often absurd activities performed by the characters who seek a solution to the problem all combine to create a fun, simple book that delights children.
Berlioz the Bear is the story of a bear named Berlioz and his orchestra who have diligently practiced their instruments and are now ready to play for the village gala ball. Suddenly, Berlioz’s double bass begins make strange buzzing noises, Berlioz is concerned about the source of the noise and wonders if people laugh at him, but Berlioz does not have time to investigate the problem. Everyone climbs into the bandwagon and the troop sets off for the village.
The band travels only a short way when the wheel of the wagon falls into a hole in the ground. The mule immediately sits down and refuses to go on. The rest of the story is the activities of various characters as they try to convince the mule to move. In the end, the smallest creature convinces the mule to move quickly and the source of buzz in Berlioz’s double bass is discovered.
The Illustrations
Jan Brett’s illustrations are always delightful and the illustrations for Berlioz the Bear are no exception. The colors and details in Brett’s images combine to create enchanting scenes that reveal not only the story but also sub-plots and in this case, external activity.
Each scene from the story is framed by an ornate frame that contains scenes within itself. The top of each frame show the villagers preparing for the village gala ball. The side images of the frame are that of individuals on their way to the village gala ball. Brett allows herself great freedom in the frame to create all sorts of enchanting animal characters. From sheep to hedgehogs, from cats to geese we see every manner of animal traveling to the village for the party.
In Conclusion
Brett specializes in retelling classic children’s stories or, as in the case of Berlioz the Bear, in using a classic folk format to tell her own story. Her stories always succeed in captivating the reader because of her skillful use of the oldest storytelling traditions and her expert creation of illustrations to delight the listener. Berlioz the Bear is another one of her fine renditions of childhood fantasy in the form of a beautiful picture book.
Brett, Jan. Berlioz the Bear. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 1991. ISBN 0-399-22248-0
